With deep sorrow I inform you that His Excellency Most Reverend Bishop TheophaneThannickunnel, O. Praem, Bishop Emeritus of Jabalpur, passed away on Friday, 18th November, 2016, at 9.00 a.m. at St. Norbert Abbey, Jamtara, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh.
As per the information received from Bishop Gerald Almeida, Bishop of Jabalpur, his funeral will be held on Monday, 21stNovember, 2016, at 1.00 p.m. in the Cathedral, Jabalpur.
Most Rev. TheophaneThannickunnel, O Praem was born on 23rdSeptember, 1928. He was ordained Priest on 15thAugust, 1959. He was appointed Bishop of Jabalpur on 1stMarch, 1976 and Ordained Bishop on 31stMarch, 1977. On 16thMay, 2001, he retired from his active episcopal ministry. He was 88.
Bishop TheophaneThannickunnel is the third Bishop of Jabalpur and the first Indian Norbertine Bishop. He was consecrated a Bishop on 31stMarch, 1977 by Archbishop Eugene D'Souza of Nagpur and Bishop Joseph Pallikaparampil, the then Auxiliary Bishop of Palai. The long tenure of Bishop Theophane was marked with the opening of new Mission Stations and parishes. Some of the Mission Centres were opened in new places and others were erected by dividing the existing Mission Stations and Parishes. This move of Bishop Theophane accelerated the missionary enthusiasm and all could witness an unprecedented growth of the diocese. Jabalpur diocese had been fortunate to be under the stewardship of Bishop Theophane for over a period of 24 years.
While we place on record the gratitude of the Church in India for his long and laborious services to the Church in India, let us pray that the Good Lord may grant him eternal repose and share in His Glory.